Golden retrievers became increasingly popular in Britain in the 19th century with the growth of the sport of bird hunting. Retrievers were considered the elite of the sporting breeds as they were highly versatile and could be used to hunt upland and waterfowl.
Many cross breeds were used during this time, and there is no doubt that a number of highly resembling Golden retrievers existed prior to the actual development of the Golden as we know it today.
It is Sir Dudley Majoribanks, later Lord Tweedmouth, who is credited with the actual creation of the Golden Retriever due to his breeding program in Scotland in the mid to late 19th century.
All of today’s Goldens can trace their origins back to Lord Tweedmouth’s pups. Lord Tweedmouth acquired a young yellow male Wavy (Flat) Coated Retriever in 1866. The yellow color is recessive, and to this day occurs occasionally in the Flat Coated Retriever breed.
Existing photos of this dog, who was named Us, show a large, wavy-coated dog that closely resembled a Golden Retriever. A Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle, a member of another popular hunting breed in the region, was also acquired.
These dogs were known for their swimming ability, superior intelligence, and wonderful temperament. They were medium in size, liver in color (any shade from yellow to brown) and had very curly fur with very few feathers.
When one considers that all retriever breeds share a similar genetic base, and that the main difference in the development of the Golden from others is the Tweed Water Spaniel, it is understandable how some of the traits that make the Golden unique are derived. from other retriever breeds. .
The Golden Retriever’s ancestry includes a long history as a hunting dog and therefore makes for great outdoor companionship.